THE GORSE RIDE regeneration project has taken another step forward.
Last month, Cllr Malcolm Richards, mayor of Wokingham borough, visited the site on Arnett Avenue to top out the final section of roof.
He was shown round the site by Harry Smith from council contractors R.J. Leighfield and Sons Ltd and was accompanied by Cllr Simon Weeks, borough ward councillor for Finchampstead South and chair of the local Parish Council.
They were also joined by Steve Bowers who, in addition to being chair of the community steering group, is also a Gorse Ride resident and is one of the local households likely to move into the new development when it completes next spring.
And the mayor was impressed with what he saw.
“It was wonderful to be able to mark this major milestone event by helping place the last tile on the Arnett Avenue roofs and officially topping it out,” said Cllr Richards.
“Living-architects, who designed the scheme, have done an amazing job on the designs and the new homes look fantastic both inside and out.
“The original Gorse Ride development was never meant to last for so many years so being able to replace the old properties with these amazing quality new homes is a fantastic opportunity that I’m proud the council can deliver.”
This site, which is being built as phase one of the multi-million pound regeneration project, will see 46 new homes built in the Finchampstead area. It comprises of 10 three bedroom houses and 36 one and two bedroom apartments.
“Talking with Steve Bowers about his involvement in the steering group and the local community, as well as his excitement about moving into a new home, really helped me understand how important this is for Gorse Ride and what a difference this regeneration will make for local residents,” the mayor said.
The development will also see extensive new landscaping to complement the large number of mature trees which were retained, as well as allocated parking and improved pedestrian access to Barkham Ride.
The new homes have also been designed to high energy efficiency standards to help residents keep energy bills low and reduce emissions contributing towards the council’s ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030.
Work on the site, which started in August 2019, is expected to be completed by spring of next year.
Earlier this summer, a planning application for phase two of the regeneration project was also submitted.
If approved, this will see 249 new houses and apartments built in the Finchampstead area too.
To find out more about phase two, visit: www.wokingham.gov.uk/major-developments/gorse-ride-estate-regeneration
